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Silent Disruption: Mechanistic Pathways of Microplastic Toxicity in Aquatic Organisms
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This review of over a decade of research shows that tiny plastic particles in water are harming fish and other aquatic animals by damaging their immune systems, disrupting their hormones, and even affecting their ability to reproduce. These plastic particles cause harmful chemical reactions in animals' bodies and can pass health problems to their offspring. This matters for humans because we eat seafood from these polluted waters, and the same plastic particles that harm aquatic life could also affect our health.
Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly at risk from microplastic contamination, which has a wide range of toxicological impacts on creatures at different trophic levels. The purpose of this study is to thoroughly summarise the most recent research (2013–2024) underlying the toxicity of microplastics to aquatic life, with a focus on disturbances to the body immune, respiratory, reproductive system, genetic makeup, and behaviour, and to clarify the cellular and molecular processes, with a focus on oxidative stress induction, endocrine interference, immunological dysregulation, and transgenerational effects.Major scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Elsevier were used in the process for a structured literature review. Peer-reviewed research focusing on experimental or observational evidence of microplastic-induced biological impacts in aquatic organisms was one of the inclusion criteria. Non-English articles, non-empirical findings, and studies that just addressed environmental distribution without biological assessment were not included. Mechanistic biomarkers (such as ROS production and antioxidant enzyme regulation), reproductive metrics, behavioural endpoints, and exposure pathways were all taken into consideration while extracting the data.The Findings exhibit that microplastics affected immunological responses, interfered with mitochondrial function, clogged respiratory structures like gills, disrupted endocrine signalling pathways, and caused oxidative stress through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Potential transgenerational consequences are suggested by reproductive deficits, such as decreased gamete quality, decreased fertility rates, and developmental abnormalities, in conjunction with epigenetic alterations. Ecological effects are amplified by behavioural changes that impact food, predator avoidance, and locomotion. Limitations include limited long-term field-based studies, heterogeneity in experimental methods, and variance in particle size. The Future perspective of this study will be to emphasise the necessity of multigenerational studies, sensitive biomarker development, standardised methodology, and integrative ecological risk assessments, and to preserve aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem stability, stronger Microplastics; Toxicity; Aquatic Organisms; Physiological disruption, Behavioural Modification; Environmental Pollution.
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Silent Disruption: Mechanistic Pathways of Microplastic Toxicity in Aquatic Organisms
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This research review summarizes studies showing that tiny plastic particles in water harm fish and other aquatic animals by damaging their immune systems, disrupting hormones, and causing problems with breathing and reproduction. The plastic particles create harmful chemicals in animals' bodies and can even affect their offspring, suggesting these effects could build up over time. Since humans eat fish and seafood from these contaminated waters, this pollution may pose risks to our own health through the food chain.
Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: Impacts on Fish Health and Potential Risks to Human Health
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This review paper summarizes existing research showing that tiny plastic particles in water are harming fish, damaging their organs, growth, and reproduction. Since these microplastics build up in fish that end up on our plates, they could eventually affect human health too. The authors call for less plastic production, more recycling, and better wastewater treatment to tackle the problem.
Impacts of microplastic accumulation in aquatic environment: Physiological, eco-toxicological, immunological, and neurotoxic effects
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This review summarizes how microplastics build up in fish and other aquatic life, causing damage to their immune systems, nervous systems, and overall health. When fish eat microplastics, the particles move up the food chain and can eventually reach humans through seafood consumption. The authors also discuss strategies for removing microplastics from water and reducing plastic pollution.
Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: Impacts on Fish Health and Potential Risks to Human Health
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This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic particles in water harm fish, damaging their organs, growth, and reproduction. Since these particles build up in fish that people eat, they may enter our food chain too. The researchers call for less plastic production and better waste treatment to curb the problem.
Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems: Environmental Behaviour, Biological Impacts, and Public Health Implications- A Comprehensive Review
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This review paper summarizes existing research showing that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are now found throughout our water systems and food chain, including in seafood and drinking water that people consume. The research shows these particles can cause inflammation and disrupt hormones in the body, but scientists still need better methods to study long-term health effects. Understanding microplastic pollution is important because it affects the safety of our food and water supply.
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